Illinois News Roundup for Tuesday, June 5

Published on June 5 2012 6:15 am
Last Updated on July 14 2013 12:07 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

>>Bath Salts Behind Crime Spree In West City

(West City, IL) -- West City police say a taser couldn't even stop William Carpenter from behaving erratically when he was busted trying to rob two women. Carpenter had already allegedly attacked an elderly woman as she sat in her car and broken into two garages where he pried off the mirror of one car and left the hand trowel sticking in the door, dismantled a fan, plugged in a hair dryer, pulled out wires from a furnace, and managed to pour gasoline on himself. Police say Carpenter fought with officers before they could arrest him and take him into custody. He allegedly admitted to being high on bath salts when he was arrested, a drug which causes hallucinations, paranoia, and psychotic behavior.

>>Quinn: Don't Hold Your Breath On Gaming

(Chicago, IL) -- The gambling expansion tug of war between Governor Quinn and the legislature still isn't over. Lawmakers passed a revised plan before leaving Springfield last week but Quinn says it may not make it past his desk. He says the proposal has a lot of loopholes and doesn't protect the people of Illinois. Plus, he says he wants more oversight and a provision that bans political contributions from the gaming industry. Expanded gambling is expected to put thousands of people to work and generate billions in additional revenue.

>>Pontiac Teenager Gets Dream Of European Cruise

(Pontiac, IL) -- A Pontiac teenager is on a European cruise in Italy, Greece, and Turkey thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Jamie Gadberry has Stage B Hodgkins lymphoma and has already had to undergo several surgeries, plus chemotherapy and radiation treatments. She is currently in remission but that didn't stop the Foundation from making her dream come true. The high school senior says she's hoping to relax and have a good time on her once-in-a-lifetime cruise.

>>Help Special Olympics Win New Van

(Normal, IL) -- The countdown is on for people across the state to help the Special Olympics of Illinois get a new set of wheels. They're in the running to win a brand new minivan in "Toyota's 100 Cars for Good" competition but, they need your help. They're asking you and all your friends to cast an online vote at 100CarsForGood.com to help them win the prize. Voting closes this Saturday night at 11 p.m.

>>Bloomington Fighter Eliminated From Popular TV Show

(Bloomington, IL) -- A Bloomington MMA fighter isn't going to be the next "Ultimate Fighter." Chris Tickle recently appeared on the FX show but was eliminated in the sixth episode. He was put in a house in Las Vegas with 15 other fighters. Split into two teams, the men would fight each episode and the winner would continue on the show, with the loser being eliminated. The show's winner gets a six-figure contract with Ultimate Fighting Championship.

>>Ordinance Outlaws Hosting Social Gathering With Underage Drinking

(Washington, IL) -- Fines could get pretty steep in one community in Tazewell County which just passed an ordinance against hosting a social gathering that allows underage drinking or drug use. Washington City Council members say fines could go up to 750-dollars. A host could get off the hook by calling police when illegal drinking or drug use is taking place or ending the event before police are called.

>>Teens Killed In Car-Semi Wreck

(Kendall County, IL) -- Three teenagers are dead after a car-semi truck crash in Kendall County. It happened yesterday on Route 126 and Schlapp Road. State Police say the teen car driver either failed to stop at a stop sign or stopped and rolled forward. Two of the 19-year-old victims were from Plainfield. The 18-year-old victim was from Naperville. The semi driver is expected to be okay.

>>Home Depot, Goodwill Expand

(Undated) -- Expansions are under way for two big names in business. In Joliet, Home Depot plans to open another larger distribution center by next summer. That means 500 construction jobs and 300 permanent jobs are coming to the city. In Peoria, Goodwill Industries closed one store to open a bigger store later this week.

>>Thrift Stores Would Have To Keep Records Under Proposed Ordinance

(Springfield, IL) -- Thrift stores would have to keep a log of all the items that come in if a new ordinance is passed in Springfield. The ordinance will be introduced in City Council today. Police say criminals have learned that if they take stolen items to a pawn shop, they're likely to get caught because the shop records information for all merchandise. But it they take it to second-hand stores, they're not required to keep records.

>>More Traffic At Quincy Regional

(Quincy, IL) -- Quincy Regional Airport is getting busier. About a thousand more people used the airport in the first five months of the year compared to two years ago. City officials hope to hit the ten-thousand-passenger mark by the end of 2012.